Los Angeles County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Latigo Canyon, Los Angeles County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with glassy conditions. Expect the wind to bump up to around 7mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate E wind around 8mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate E wind around 7mph.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
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Latigo Canyon sits along the Malibu coast where coastal canyons create unique bathymetry that shapes incoming swells into quality beach breaks. The beach setup here offers relatively consistent peaks with a mix of sandbar formations that shift seasonally, providing varied wave quality throughout the year. This Malibu area spot works best during fall and winter swells when NW to W swell wraps around the point-rich coastline, with easterly offshore winds helping shape cleaner walls.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Latigo Canyon is 1-2ft with a 13.4s swell period. Wind is NNE at 1mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Latigo Canyon is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.2ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 0.9ft WSW secondary swell at 6s, a 0.8ft S tertiary swell at 16s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Latigo Canyon is Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 15.15s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Latigo Canyon works best with a SW swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Latigo Canyon. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Latigo Canyon is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Latigo Canyon sits along the Malibu coast where coastal canyons create unique bathymetry that shapes incoming swells into quality beach breaks. The beach setup here offers relatively consistent peaks with a mix of sandbar formations that shift seasonally, providing varied wave quality throughout the year. This Malibu area spot works best during fall and winter swells when NW to W swell wraps around the point-rich coastline, with easterly offshore winds helping shape cleaner walls.
The prime season at Latigo Canyon is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Latigo Canyon include localism, crowded during quality swells, rocks near canyon mouth. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Latigo Canyon forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
